Chelan County PUD joins fellow electric companies to observe the inaugural Utilities United Against Scams Day (UUASD) on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, to raise awareness about utility scams.

Most utility scams involve criminals posing as electric, gas or water provider employees—either in person or over the phone or internet—and demanding immediate payment via cash or reloadable debit cards, ostensibly to prevent service disconnection. These unscrupulous criminals can be very convincing, and often target those who are most vulnerable, including the elderly and non-native English speakers. However, with the right information, customers can learn to avoid and report these predatory scams.

Customers who believe they have been targeted by utility scammers should follow these tips:

UUASD is a collaborative effort among the electric, gas, and water utility industries throughout the country, to help prevent utility service fraud through education, awareness, and customer advocacy initiatives. A primary goal of this collective effort is to help customers learn how to identify and avoid utility-related scams.